There are some new voices behind the Why &amp; How podcast. Our new host E’layna and friend of the show Tahlia welcome their first guest, Tyler Black, to the show after a brief hiatus. Tyler, PhD candidate in the School of Environmental Sciences, discusses his research on oil spills. They often make headlines when they occur, but what happens next? Through a toxicology lens, Tyler is looking to better understand how they impact marine organisms, specifically clams, and how to support restoration efforts in the future.

Episode 25: Why should we care about oil spills?

Biomasss crops, like switchgrass and miscanthus, are used for agriculture products and biofuel production. These crops can improve soil health while removing carbon dioxide from the air. Sowthini Vijayakumar, a PhD candidate in the School of Environmental Sciences, is trying to find a practical solution to decreasing atmospheric carbon through the conversion of agricultural land to biomass crops. She joins E’layna and Tahlia on the podcast to discuss her research in this area.

Episode 26: How can biomass crops improve the environment?

Stress in laying hens can result in feather pecking, a behaviour that can have severe welfare and economic consequences. E’layna and Tahlia chat with Claire Mindus, a PhD candidate in the Department of Animal Biosciences. Claire discusses her research on a promising solution to feather pecking, that involves supplementing hens with probiotic bacteria. Note: the research discussed in this episode, and all animal research at the University of Guelph, is done in adherence to the University of Guelph Animal Care Policy and Procedures.

Episode 27: Why did the chicken… peck the other?

We've all had food go bad, which results in the unfortunate act of food waste. But what if the structure of food could be altered to extend the shelf life? Louis Colaruotolo, a PhD student in the Department of Food Science, is trying to do just that. Using 3D printing and other research methods, he is working to better understand the causes of food deterioration. He discusses his ​fundamental research and its importance with E'layna and Tahlia. This is our last episode for this batch, thank you E'layna for being a magnificent host! We hope to be back soon.&nbsp;

Episode 28: Why extend the shelf life of food?

The Why & How Podcast

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